New whip rules for 2022

Please be aware that the specifications for whips for show jumping and cross-country have changed for all Pony Club competitions – basically you can only use the same whip as for British Show jumping (so if you have one that you use for BS, then that is fine – any other whip is NOT allowed).

The allowed whips can also be used for BE (though they don’t specify them at the moment) and must also be used for BRC competitions.

Whips:

Riders may not hit their horse/ pony before the start of the
course and may be eliminated for doing so at the Judge’s discretion.

A whip, if carried, must be held in the hand by the handle with the
handle at the top. The whip must be “padded” and comply with the
current British Showjumping rule (BS Members Handbook, full wording
is available to view online at www.britishshowjumping.co.uk).

The key points of that rule are as follows:
▶ The maximum length of the “Whip” is 70cm and must be no less
than 45cm.
▶ The “Contact area”, is considered to be 2/5’s (two fifths) of the
overall length of the “Whip” and must be covered with a “Pad”.
▶ There must be no “binding” within 17 centimetres of the end of the
“Pad”.
▶ The “Pad” must be smooth, with no protrusion or raised surface,
and be made of shock absorbing material throughout its
circumference such that it gives a compression factor of at least
6mm.
▶ There is to be no wording, advertising or personalisation of any
kind on the “Pad”.
Before buying any whip, please check with the retailer that it is BS
compliant.

At all times, the whip must only be used:
▶ For a good reason, as an aid to encourage the horse forward.
▶ At an appropriate time, namely when the horse is reluctant to go
forward under normal aids of seat and legs.
▶ In the right place, namely down the shoulder or behind the leg but
never overarm.
▶ With appropriate severity.
▶ No more than twice for any one incident.

Excessive use of the whip anywhere on the showground will result in
disqualification:
▶ Use of the whip to vent a competitor’s anger is always excessive.
▶ Use of a whip which causes injury e.g. Broken skin or a weal, is
always excessive.
▶ Use after elimination or retirement is always excessive.
▶ Use on a horse’s head, neck etc. is always excessive.
▶ Using the whip from the ground after a rider fall or dismount is
always excessive.
▶ If the rider’s arm comes above the shoulder when using the whip,
this is always excessive

Spurs

Spurs must only be used to enhance the normal leg aids and never to vent a competitor’s anger. Use of spurs which cause injury e.g. blood or broken skin is always classed as misuse, any misuse of spurs anywhere on a showground will result in disqualification. Further information can be found in the Rulebooks.